Trigonometric angle generator



Sept. 19, 1939. D JoNEs 2,173,519

TRIGONOMETRIC ANGLE GENERATOR gwmtor Gttomeg Sept. 19, 1939.

D. JONES TRIGONOMETRIC ANGLE GENERATOR Filed NOV. 2, 1936 4 Shnts-Sheet 3 OOO@ Sept. 19,' 1939. D. JoNEs 2,173,519

TRIGONOMETRIC ANGLE GENERATOR Filed Nov. 2, 1936 l kl /04 WOW@ Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,173,519 TmGoNoME'mrc ANGLE GENERATOR. David Jones, Detroit, Mich. Application November 2, 1938, Serial No. 108,746 Claims. (Cl, 33-1'74) The present invention pertains to a novel angle generator for setting a working surface accurately to a desired angular adjustment and also to measure the angle when the Working surface has 5 been caused to assume a given set position.

The device, in at least one embodiment, comprises cylindrical convex and concave members fitted one -within the other and on a common axis of rotation. One or more gauge retainers l0 attached respectively to the concave or convex members at a previously calculated distance from the axis of rotation provide a means for holding gauging members between which gauge blocks may be inserted for making an accurate angle adjustment. The adjustment involves a simple trigonometric method that is fully described in the detailed description. Further, the invention includes a simple means for locking the movable part in the desired position of adjustment.

The principles utilized in the device consisting of concave and convex members are also embodied in a modication of the invention where the angular adjustment is made completely in one plane, such as a table rotatably mounted on a base. In still another embodiment of the invention, the upper or movable member is adapted for angular adjustment to the horizontal in two directions. This device also includes means whereby these angular adjustments are indicated in degrees, minutes and seconds, and also means for locking the upper member in the desired adjustment. Further, both members are rotatable together in a transit movement, whereby the adjusted Working surface may be turned on a substantially vertical axis.

In all embodiments of the invention the top and bottom parts of the angle generator are preferably made from magnetic jig blocks, and the device may be used in connection with other magnetic jig blocks of standard angles. These parts of the angle generator may however be non-magnetic inasmuch as the work may be secured thereto by other than magnetic means.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the device.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation.

Figure 3 is an end view.

Figure 4 is an end view, showing the device in an adjusted position.

Figure 5 is an end View of a knife-edge gauging pin.

Figure 6 is an elevation thereof. Figure 7 is an elevation of the locking lever.

7 Figure 8 is a section on the line 8 8 of Figure Figure 9 is an elevation of one of the gauge retainers with a gauging member inserted therein.

Figure 10 is a section on the line ID-IU of 5 Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a plan view of a modification.

Figure 12 is a side elevation thereof partly in section.

Figure 13 is a section on the linen- I3 of 10 Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a detail section on the line I4-II of Figure 11.

Figure 15 is a plan view of another modiiication. 16

Figure 16 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 17 is an end view thereof.

Figures 18 and 19 are sections on the lines I 8 I8 and I9-I9 of Figure 15.

Figure 20 is a detail front view. 20

Figure 21 is a section on the line 2|-2I of Figure 17.

Figure 22 is a section on the line 22-22 of Figure 16.

Figure 23 is a fragmentary plan view oi.' another 25 modification.

Figure 24 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 25 is a front view thereof, and

Figure 26 is a detail elevation.

Reference to these views will now be made by 30 use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

The device as shown in Figures 1 to 10 comprises a concave base member I in which is formed a cylindrical surface 2. On the base 35 member is mounted a relatively movable connex member 3 having a convex cylindrical surface 4' complementary to the surface 2.

An end plate 5 is fastened to each end of the base I by screws 6. Similarly, an end plate 'I is 40 secured to each end of the movable member 3 by screws 8. At one end of the device, the plate 5 carries a gauge retaining member 9, and the corresponding plate 'I carries a similar member I0. Each of the retaining members 9 and I0 45 is counter-sunk at II and drilled at I2 to receive the correspondingly shaped inner-end of a gauging member I3. This member, except for its inner-end I4 rotatably mounted in the counter-sink II and hole I2, is of semi-cylindrical 50 shape and drilled with an axial hole I5 as may be seen in Figures 9 and 10. The flat diametrical face I6 of each member I3 constitutes a gauging surface in the manner presently to be described.

The movable member 3 may be turned within 55 the member I so that its upper face |1`may be adjusted to any desired angle to the horizontal, as illustrated in Figure 4. The adjustment is secured by means of the locking lever |8 illustrated in Figures '7 and 8. This lever is in the nature of a bell crank, with one end pivotally attached to the plate 5 or 9 at the point I9. 'I'he power arm 20 of the lever has an inwardly extending arcuate flange 2| received freely in a .groove 22 cut in the adjacent end of the member 3. When the adjustment of the member 3 has been made, the lever |8 is tilted by any suitable means such as a wedge 23, whereupon the flange 2| locks in the groove 221 and maintains the member 3 in the adjusted position.

The member 3 is initially set to the desired angular adjustment by use of the gauging members I3 and Johansson blocks fitted between the gauging surfaces I6 which are brought into full contact with the ends of the blocks by turning the members |3. The distance between the two opposed surfaces I6 is equal to twice the sine of one-half the desired angle of rotation, considering the radius of the concave and convex surfaces to be unity. Thus, by the use of Johansson blocks and a table of natural trigonometric functions, a highly accurate angular adjustment of the surface I1 may be made. One edge of this surface carries a liner rail 24 to aid in supporting the work.

The members I3 are bored radially at I3' to receive a rod (not shown) extending through both members and holding their faces I6 at all times parallel to each other. The other end of the device may be similarly equipped with gauging members and a rod and further with means for screwing the rod through the members. Thus, after the surfaces I6 at one end have been adjusted approximately to a group of Johansson blocks at one end, the accurate adjustment is made by screwing the rod at the other end.

In some cases it may be preferable to gauge between sharp edges or cylindrical gauging surfaces rather than between the surfaces I6. Accordingly, there are provided pins 25 adapted to be inserted in the holes I5 of the members I3. The upper portion of each pin is shaped to a sharp edge 2B as shown in Figures 5 and 6. 'I'he distance between the surfaces I6, and particularly between the edges 26, may be measured by other means than the Johansson blocks, if desired. Such means may be a ruler, vernier or equivalent device graduated to give the corresponding angular reading.

The members 5, 9 and |0 are provided With properly located dowel holes 21 and dowel pins 28 for gauging by other means. For example, as shown in Figure 4, gauge blocks 29 and 30 may be attached to the plate 5, one vertical and the other horizontal, so that the surfaces I6 of members I3 may be located with reference to these blocks, if desired, in making the adjustment of the movable member 3.

The parts I and 3 are preferably made from magnetic jig blocks generally similar to those shown in my United States Patent No. 1,895,129 of January 24, 1933. In such case, a chamber 3| may be cut in the member 3, below itsV surface I1, to receive permanent or separately energized magnets to hold the work in position. However, if desired, the parts may be made from suitable castings or commercial materials.

The construction shown in Figures 11 to 14 is for making an angular adjustment entirely in a horizontal plane. This device comprises a base 40 on which is mounted a rotary table 4|. The latter is centered by means of a post 42 tted in the center of the base 40 and projecting into a hole 43 in the center of the table. The table is further guided by means of a circular rib 44 formed on its lower surface and received in a circular groove 45 cut in the top of the base. When the desired adjustment of the table has been made, it is secured by means of bolts 46 carried by the table and having their lower ends formed with heads 41 received in an inverted T-slots 46 cut in the base 40. The upper ends of the bolts carry nuts 49 accommodated in recesses 50 in the top of the table.

The rotary table 4| carries one or more devices for providing gauging surfaces similar to the surfaces I6 previously described. Each such device comprises a bearing member 5| mounted over the edge of the table and having a depending shank 52 secured to the table by a screw 53, with an adapter 54 interposed. In the bearing is mounted a semi-cylindrical member 55 with a reduced circular stem 56 suitably secured in the bearing and at the same time permitting rotation of the member 55.

To cooperate with the members 55 on the rotary table, the base 40 carries one or more gauge members in the manner illustrated in Figure 14. Each gauge device comprises a retainer 51 secured to the base by a screw 58 and having a bearing portion 59 projecting over the top of the table 4|. In the bearing 49 is rotatably mounted a semi-cylindrical gauge member 60. The flat surface of the relatively movable gauge members 55 and 60 are adapted to receive Johansson blocks between them to effect an angular adjustment of the table 4| relatively to the base 40 according to the trigonometric method previously described.

The top of the table 4| is further formed with diametrical grooves 6| perpendicular to each other and slidably receiving one or more gauging blocks 62. The latter may be used instead of the members 55, if desired, in making an adjustment with reference to the relatively stationary gauge members 60.

The devices shown in Figures 1 to 14 may also be used in determining the angular relation between the relatively movable parts when the movable member assumes a position as a result of predetermined or arbitrary conditions. When so used, the angle between the relatively movable parts is measured by the insertion of blocks between the gauging surfaces and reversing the calculation previously described, that is, determining the angle from the sine.

The angle generator shown in Figures l5 to 22 includes a base member |40 in the top of which is formed a spherical cavity at |4|. In the cavity is seated an adjustable top member |42, the bottom of which is formed as a spherical surface |43 having the same radius as the surface 4|.

To one end of the member |40 is secured an angle piece |44 having its bottom surface in the same plane as the bottom-surface of the member |40. The angle piece is formed with a cavity |45 (Figure 19) for a purpose presently to be described. In the bottom of the cavity is seated a flanged nut |46 which in turn passes through a plate |41 slidably mounted on the member |44. In the nut is threaded an upright screw having opposite threads |48 and |49 respectively above and below a knurled adjusting collar |50 integral with the screw. Upon the collar |50 and surrounding the screw is mounted a graduated ring |5| having a press flt or otherwise secured in the collar |50.

On the threads |49 is mounted a nut |56 having a pair of spaced upstanding ears |51. A stud 58 is screwed through a plate |44 mounted on the member |42 and into the member 42 and has a .blank intermediate portion |59 on which is rotatably mounted a bearing block |60 fitted between the ears |51. n the outer threaded end of the stud |58 is a knurled nut |6|. A washer |62 is mounted on the stud 58 at one end of the block |60 and in engagement with the nut |6I. A collar |62 is formed on stud |58 at the other end of block |60 and engages the vertical side of the angle plate 1.44. A swivel and gauge pin |63 is passed through the ears |51 and block |60, crossing the bolt |58. Pin |63 has a collar |64 at vone side of the block and a nut |65 tightened vagainst the other side. Thus, the adjustable screw |48, |49 and nuts |45, |45 with graduated collar I |52 may swivel on pin |63 in order to return to perpendicular position when spherical member |42 is tilted to the desired angle.

In the modification, shown in Figures 23 to 26, a collar |52, for a purpose presently to be described, is positioned above the ring |5|a and has a skirt |53 extending into the collars |5|a and |50a. The lower end of the skirt |53 is undercut at |54 to receive a securing ring |55 fastened thereon and resting upon the web of collar |50. The lower end of ring |5|a is reduced at 5| and sweated into collar |50a. The reduced end |5|' loosely surrounds the ring |55, whereby the collar |52 remains free for relative rotation on nut |56a.

A pair of spaced fingers |66 and |61 extend radially outward and then upward from the member |52. To one of the ears |51 is secured a plate |68 from which extends a finger |69 into the space between the members |66 and |61. The sides of the finger |69 have a predetermined irregular shape for a purpose to be presently described. The inner face of the member |66 has a rounded nub engaging one side of thefinger |69. The other side of finger |69 follows the shape of the first side and is engaged by the round end of a screw |1| mounted in the finger |61.

It may now be seen that, on turning the screw |48, |49, in either modification, the upper plate |42 may be raised or lowered, and the angle of its fiat surface varied by the rocking movement of member |42 on the base |40. The ring |5| or |5| a is graduated at |12 in minutes and seconds of a degree, the graduations being referred to an index mark |13 on the ring |52a. The graduations represent, actually, threads on the screw |48, |49 or distances alongth'e length of the screw. Since the elevation of the plate |42 at the bolt |58 is not proportional to the 4angle of its surface, a correction must be introduced. This is done by means ,of the irregular finger |69 which causes a corresponding rotational shift of the ring |52 and its index line |13 as the elevation of the double screw |48, |49 and the member |42 varies. It is to be noted in this connection that the graduated ring |5| orl |5|a is secured to and turns with the ring |50 or |50a.

In the first described construction the correction is effected by means of a varying index line |14 scribed on the n'ut |56. This nut, as well as the nut |56a, is calibrated vertically at 12' in angles beyond the range of the Calibrating 12.

Another means of introducing the correction is t calibrate the graduations |12 so that they read accurately in terms of the angular position of the top member |42 rather than in terms of distance along the screw |48, |49.

The block |41 has a slot |15 (Figure 19) in which is slidably mounted a shoe or guide block A bolt |11 passes through the shoe |16 and has its lower end threaded or otherwise fastened at |18 in the member |44. The upper end /has a nut |19 threaded thereon .over the shoe |16 and formed witha small finger piece |80 for easy adjustment. When the nut |19 is loose, the screw |48, |49 may shift along the recess |45 in response to tilting of the member 42 on the member |40. After the adjustment has been made, it is secured by tightening the nut |19 to secure the blocks 41 and |16 to the member |44.

A dowel pin 8| in the block |41 extends into a vertical slot |82 in the nut |46 to permit intermediate vertical shifts of the nut assembly without permitting rotation thereof to destroy the angular adjustment at the graduations |12.

At the opposite end of the member |42 is fastened a strip or plate |85 from`which extends a guide finger |86 having an inclined slot |81. At the corresponding end of the base |40 is secured an angular base plate |88 similar to the member |44 at the opposite end. On the plate |88 .is mounted an adjustable plate 89 carrying a pair of guide pins |90 xed thereto. At the lower surface of plate 89 are formed arcuate bosses |9| adapted to travel in arcuate slots |92 in the plate |88. The adjustable plate |89 has arcuate slots |93 through which are passed lock screws into plate |88, whereby a selected adjusted position of plate 89 may be fixed as will presently appear.

A graduated plate |95 has bosses |96 slidably received on the guide pins |90. An index pointer apron |91 co-operating with the graduations |98 on the plate |95 is suspended from the member |86 by a pair of ears |99 straddling the member |86 and attached thereto by a pin 200 passed through the ears and the slot |81.

Behind the apron |91, the plate |95 has an arcuate slot 20| concentric with the spherical surfaces. A guide shoe 202 travels in the slot and is attached to the apron by a screw 203 and nut 203 which is also used to clamp the shoe and apron in any selected position along the slot 20|, thereby locking the member |42 after it hasbeen tilted to the desired angle.

The determination of an angle by tilting the member |42 on an axis parallel to the pin |63 has already been described. In this connection, the pin provides points for measuring and checking elevations or sine distances from the hori- 'zontal'surface of the member |44. The adjustment to this angle causes a vertical rocking movement of the finger |86, which is permitted by the slot |81. At the same time, the graduated plate |95 and apron 91 are carried vertically, and this movement is permitted by the rslidable mounting of the plate on the guide pins |90. The transverse angle of the top member |42 is introduced by turning the member on an axis substanually parano to bu lss after 100sening the nut |19 as previously stated. This angle .-is measured, at least for trial purposes, by the position of the pointer apron |91 on the graduations |98. After setting this angle, it may be necessary or desirable to turn the member |42 in a transit motion about its vertical diameter.

This transit movement becomes possible on loosening the screws |94, whereupon they and the guide pin ends '|9I are free to travel respectively in slots |93 and |92. After this adjustment has been made, it is secured by tightening the screws |94.

Base |40 and top |42 preferably consist of magnetic jig block material in which case each is composed of a body of material case or molded around uniformly distributed inserts 204 of opposite lmagnetic character. The non-magnetic material may consist of a suitable metal or a plastic composition. With such a construction, the angle generator may be mounted on a magnetic chuck or on a work surface and energized to hold the work magnetically on the top platen |42. For angles beyond the range of the adjustable platen |42, magnetic jig blocks may be mounted on the platen for holding the work. It

is not essential that the angle generator be made of magnetic jig block material and in such case,

` the work would be held on the top plat |42 by conventional positive means. For this purpose there are provided key slots 205, screw holes 206 and dowel holes 20'1.

When the generator-is used ina grinding operation or near a grindstone, the adjusting mechanisms should be shielded from emery dust by a dust guard of any suitable or conventional form.

Although specic embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described; it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An angle generator comprising a fixed member and another member rotatably mounted thereon, gauging members carried respectively by said xed and rotatable members for the insertion of measuring devices therebetween, one of said gauging members being rotatably mounted and having each a straight edge adapted to be brought into parallelism with each other.

2. An angle generator comprising a xed member and another member rotatably mounted thereon, gauge retainers carried respectively by said members, and gauging members mounted in said retainers, said gauging members being equidistant from the axis of rotation of said rotatable member, whereby the linear distance between' said gauging members is a function of the angular distance therebetween, said gauging members being rotatable i'n said retainers and formed each with a straight edge of surface adapted to be set parallel to each other for the insertion o! gauge blocks in any adjustment of said rotatable member.

3. An angle generator comprising a xed member and another member rotatably mounted thereon, gauge retainers carried respectively by said members, and gauging members mounted in said retainers, said gauging members being equidistant from the axis of rotation of said rotatable member, whereby the linear distance between said gauging members is a function of the angular distance therebetween, said rotatable member being formed with a concentric groove, and a lever pivoted'to said xed' member and having a flange received-loosely in said groove and adapted to be locked in said groove on turning said lever.

4. An angle generator comprising a iixed member and another member rotatably mounted thereon, gauge retainers carried respectively by' said members, and gauging members mounted in said retainers, said gauging members being equidistant from the axis of rotation of said rotatable member, whereby the linear distance between said gauging members is a function of the angular distance therebetween, said gauging members being axially apertured, and straightedged gauging pins adapted for insertion in said apertures.

5. An angle generator comprising a fixed member and another member rotatably mounted thereon, gauging members carried respectively by said fixed and rotatable members for the insertion of measuring devices therebetween, said rotatable member being formed with a groove concentric with its center of rotation, and a lever pivoted to said xed member and having a flange received loosely in said groove and adapted to be locked in said groove on turning said lever.

DAVID JONES. 

